By Brendan Browne
A 16-year-old Lindenwood boy was arrested Friday on charges of fatally shooting a teenager on an Ozone Park street after the two allegedly had a dispute, police said.
Peter Perez, of 156-11 78th St., was charged with second-degree murder after 19-year-old Angel Reyes of Brooklyn was shot in the chest at about 2:20 p.m. in front of the Balsam Village apartment complex at 94-24 Pitkin Ave., police said.
Perez and the victim allegedly had an argument in the residential area and began wrestling over a gun. Neighbors said they heard a few shots but assumed fireworks were being set off.
Meanwhile, the victim was left lying on the sidewalk bleeding profusely, police said.
Emergency services rushed the victim to Jamaica Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said. The man’s blood-soaked shirt and baseball cap were left on the sidewalk at the sight of the crime.
Perez and two friends allegedly fled the scene and were picked up minutes later about a mile from the shooting, police said. Only Perez was charged with a crime, police said.
Most neighbors expressed shock at the shooting, saying the area usually is very safe with little crime.
“It’s normally a very nice neighborhood. It’s very quiet. I’m surprised there was a shooting,” said Raymond Tillero, who lives in the apartment complex.
“I’m here 11 years and nothing, not even an argument. Then I come across this,” said another resident who did not want to give her name.
One neighbor expressed concern that violent crimes between teenagers is on the rise in Queens. When asked if the area had experienced many such crimes, Joanne Mangano said, “Yes and no because lately it’s been happening all over. It’s the kids today, how they’re growing up.”
Mangano said she immediately called her two children to make sure they were safe after she found out about the shooting.
Even murders rose slightly from the beginning of this year until July 28 compared to the same period a year ago, most major crimes have fallen in the confines of the 106th Police Precinct, according to police statistics.
The 106th Precinct includes parts of Ozone Park, Lindenwood and Howard Beach.
Reach reporter Brendan Browne by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or by phone at 229-0300, Ext. 155.
